Imad Wasim’s Trent Rockets beat Oval Invincibles by six wickets

Rovman Powell's explosive batting display was the key factor in Trent Rockets' six-wicket victory over Oval Invincibles in The Hundred on Wednesday.

Entering the fray with the Rockets needing 95 runs from 52 balls and already three wickets down, Powell teamed up with Tom Alsop to forge a crucial 80-run partnership off just 32 balls. This partnership propelled the Rockets closer to the Invincibles' challenging target of 150.

Powell's fireworks included four massive sixes, with one off Sam Curran traveling a remarkable 101 meters. However, Curran eventually managed to dismiss Powell, who mishit a lofted drive to long-on, leaving the Rockets requiring 15 runs from 10 balls. Despite Powell's departure, Alsop and Chris Green calmly guided the home side to victory with six balls remaining.

This victory came in a season where the fortunes of the last two winners of The Hundred men's competition have diverged. The Rockets, champions in 2022, had already been eliminated from this year's tournament after four defeats, while the Invincibles, with six wins from their first seven matches, have been in dominant form. However, in front of a lively crowd of 12,000 at Trent Bridge, the teams were evenly matched.

Choosing to bat first on a pitch offering some turn, Invincibles opener Dawid Malan played a composed knock against his former team, scoring an unbeaten 53 off 43 balls. His steady innings allowed the big hitters around him to play more aggressively. Will Jacks contributed a brisk 30 from 17 balls, ensuring the Invincibles made the most of the powerplay, while Jordan Cox added 39 off 30 balls in a 71-run stand with Malan.

Cox was eventually dismissed by Sam Cook, who finished with impressive figures of 2 for 23, the most economical performance among the Rockets' bowlers. Imad Wasim also continued his economical run, conceding only 26 runs in his 20 balls. The Pakistan all-rounder has taken eight wickets in eight matches at an economy rate of 6.85.  

Meanwhile, Donovan Ferreira smashed an unbeaten 27 from just 10 balls, including three consecutive sixes, to lift the Invincibles to 150 for 3.

In response, Saqib Mahmood bowled with pace and aggression, touching speeds of 88mph and removing Tom Banton early on. A brief recovery for the Rockets came through Alex Hales and Joe Root, but when Hales misjudged a pull shot and fell for 35, followed by Root being caught at long-on off a Nathan Sowter delivery, the Invincibles looked set for victory. However, Powell and Alsop turned the tide, reminding everyone of their undeniable class.